Ceiling fan system

ABSTRACT

A ceiling fan system that includes a motor/blade assembly that may include a motor, a main rotor attached to the motor, and a plurality of blades attached to the main rotor. A plurality of hoods may partially enclose the motor/blade assembly. The plurality of hoods may include an intake nozzle hood acting as an air inlet and an outlet surface hood with an aerodynamic surface. The profile of the hoods is designed so that the resulting flow from the blades produces a flow pattern controlled by the aerodynamic shape of the hoods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/776,435, filed Mar. 11, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ceiling fans and, more particularly, to a ceiling fan enclosed within multiple hoods combined to create a quieter, aerodynamic flow.

There are multiple problems with existing ceiling fans, including the unpleasant feeling of a stream of air in people's face and throat, and the safety hazard of having spinning blades exposed in a room.

Every fan in the market is exposed in the room, with no enclosure or aerodynamic surface to modify the flow. Additionally, the selection of a wing profile used for most fans in the market is based on manufacture economics, and aerodynamics is usually overlooked, causing a significant decrease in efficiency.

As can be seen, there is a need for a ceiling fan with the fan blades enclosed, and that provides an aerodynamically efficient shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a ceiling fan system comprises: a motor/blade assembly comprising: a motor; a main rotor attached to the motor; and a plurality of blades attached to the main rotor; and a plurality of hoods partially enclosing the motor/blade assembly.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for producing quiet flow of air comprises: attaching a ceiling fan system to a surface, wherein the ceiling fan system is defined by a motor/blade assembly comprising a motor; a main rotor attached to the motor; and a plurality of blades attached to the main rotor; an intake nozzle hood positioned around and above the motor/blade assembly; an outlet surface hood attached to a lower end of the inlet nozzle hood; a down rod attached to the motor, wherein the down rod secures the weight of the motor/blade assembly; and a canopy enclosing the down rod; and controlling the ceiling fan system.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the movement of the air between an intake nozzle hood and an outlet surface hood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a ceiling fan system that may include a motor/blade assembly that may include a motor, a main rotor attached to the motor, and a plurality of blades attached to the main rotor. A plurality of hoods may partially enclose the motor/blade assembly. The plurality of hoods may include an intake nozzle hood acting as an air inlet and an outlet surface hood with an aerodynamic surface. The profile of the hoods is designed so that the resulting flow from the blades produces a flow pattern controlled by the aerodynamic shape of the hoods.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the ceiling fan system 10 may include a motor/blade assembly 30. The motor/blade assembly 30 may include a motor 32 attached to a main rotor 34. The main rotor 34 may attach to a plurality of blades 36. The motor 32 may contain a unit able to receive signals from a remote control and also to process commands from a wired wall mounted unit. The motor/blade assembly 30 may be partially enclosed by a plurality of hoods.

A hanger bracket 17 may be attached to a ceiling 68. The hanger bracket 17 may include ground wiring that may be attached to a corresponding grid located in the wire case of the ceiling 68. The hanger bracket 17 may also be attached to a down rod 18. The down rod 18 may fit into a down rod slot 60. A mounting bracket tab 62 may help secure the down rod 18 in place. In certain embodiments, the down rod 18 may be made from metal and may have a down rod tip 20 that may enclose the down rod 18. The down rod 18 may hold the ceiling fan system 10 in place. The down rod 18 may be positioned inside the hanging bracket 17. Wiring may be connected to the grid and hidden within a canopy 16. The canopy 16 may be mounted to the ceiling 68 with a canopy mount bar 15. The canopy 16 mounting may include a plurality of canopy mounting screws 54. A junction box 64 placed within the ceiling may be secured to the hanger bracket 17 by junction box screws 66 or the like.

An intake nozzle hood 12 may be positioned below the canopy 16 when installed. The intake nozzle hood 12 may enclose the motor/blade assembly 30. The intake nozzle hood 12 may allow for max intake flow around the inlet located at the lowest pressure area inside the flow, and may allow for the flow to quickly redistribute inside the nozzle before going through the nozzle to improve airflow rate as is shown in FIG. 5. A frame lock 24 may be attached to a frame 26. The frame lock 24 may receive a lamp cover 22. The frame lock 24 may have a securing mechanism such as holes to allow bolts, shear screws and safety pins, and the like, to be installed around the down rod 18 which may connect to the inner center axis of the motor 32, transmitting all the weight to the down rod 18. The frame lock 24 may hold the frame 26 in place. The frame 26 may hold a plurality of nozzle mounting brackets 28 that may connect with the intake nozzle hood 12 by way of nozzle bracket fasteners 48.

In certain embodiments, an outlet surface hood 14 may be attached to a lower end of the intake nozzle hood 12 by a plurality of surface mounting brackets 38, which may transmit the weight of the outlet surface hood 14 to the intake nozzle hood 12. The plurality of surface mounting brackets 38 may be secured in place by a plurality of surface bracket lower fasteners 50 and a plurality of surface bracket upper fasteners 52. The plurality of surface mounting brackets 38 may include a rubber end as an isolator between the connection between the plurality of surface mounting brackets 38 and the outlet surface hood 14. The outlet surface hood 14 may provide the right amount of oblique angle to the exiting flow, helping the flow follow the surface contour as it leaves the motor/blade assembly 30.

In certain embodiments, lighting, such as a light bulb 46, at least one LED, or the like, may be enclosed by a bullet 42. A light bulb mounting rod 40 may attach to the motor and may hold the bullet 42 and lighting. In certain embodiments, a bullet mount 44 may be placed on the bullet 42 prior to the installation of the lighting.

In certain embodiments, the blades 36 may connect to the main rotor 34. The blades 36 may be spun by the motor 32. Low pressure created on the upper side of the blades 36 may attract the flow which has already expanded through its trajectory inside the intake nozzle hood 12. The flow may be initially admitted through the combined profile of its own intake nozzle hood 12 inlet and the shape of the canopy 16. Once the flow passes the blades 36, the flow may encounter an angled wall which may redirect the high speed flow into an oblique angle which may attach to the outlet surface following the contour of the outlet surface hood 14 diagonally which may create a spiral effect in the flow of air leaving the fan ceiling system as shown in FIG. 5.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. Assemble the down rod 18 with the frame lock 24 that connects to the motor, make the electrical connections required, and then fit the device onto the hanger bracket 17 and canopy mount bar 15 in the ceiling 68. In certain embodiments, materials may be made from aircraft aluminum grade, or the like, for maximum strength to weight ratio. In certain embodiments, the ceiling fan system 10 may be installed in different angles, including 90 degree or other angled surfaces such as a wall.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ceiling fan system comprising: a motor/blade assembly comprising: a motor; a main rotor attached to the motor; and a plurality of blades attached to the main rotor; and a plurality of hoods partially enclosing the motor/blade assembly.
 2. The ceiling fan system of claim 1, further comprising a canopy attached to the motor/blade assembly through a down rod, wherein the canopy is positioned between the motor/blade assembly and a ceiling.
 3. The ceiling fan system of claim 2, further comprising a hanger bracket comprising ground wiring connected to a junction box, wherein the hanger bracket attaches to the down rod.
 4. The ceiling fan system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hoods comprises an intake nozzle hood positioned above and around the motor/blade assembly and an outlet surface hood attached to a lower end of the intake nozzle hood.
 5. The ceiling fan system of claim 4, further comprising lighting attached to the approximate center of the motor.
 6. The ceiling fan system of claim 1, further comprising a remote control that sends signals to the motor.
 7. A method for producing quiet flow of air comprising: attaching a ceiling fan system to a surface, wherein the ceiling fan system is defined by a motor/blade assembly comprising a motor; a main rotor attached to the motor; and a plurality of blades attached to the main rotor; an intake nozzle hood positioned around and above the motor/blade assembly; an outlet surface hood attached to a lower end of the inlet nozzle hood; a down rod attached to the motor, wherein the down rod secures the weight of the motor/blade assembly; and a canopy enclosing the down rod; and controlling the ceiling fan system.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising a hanger bracket attached to the down rod, wherein the hanger bracket comprising ground wiring.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising lighting attached to the approximate center of the motor.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the controlling of the ceiling fan system is by remote control. 